Acre

Acre
State Medal, 5725-1965

Acre is mentioned early in history as one of the cities captured by the Egyptian Pharoah, Tutan Khaman, in 1478 B.C.E. The city was part of the area assigned to the tribe of Asher following the conquest by Joshua. Alexander of Macedon passed through it in 333 B.C.E. thereafter Greeks began to dominate the population. In the Mishnah and the Talmud, Acre is mentioned as a city with a sizable Jewish community. The Byzantine Christians, taking over the land from the Romans, built splendid churches in Acre. Jews continued to live in Acre during the Moslem conquest which began in 640 C.E. When the Crusaders conquered Acre in 1104 C.E. some of the most famous contemporary Jews were living there, among them Nachmanides. The city witnessed rapid growth during Turkish rule in the 17th century. Its fortress withstood the Napoleonic siege in 1799.

Obverse: A stylized design of the city shows the Crusaders fortress facing the sea, a minaret and a cupola, a palm tree. Above, toward left, an ancient Hebrew ship seems to be sailing out of the port, as pictured in the discoveries of Beit Shearim. The name "Acre" appears on the top in Hebrew and beneath in English.

Reverse: In the center a replica of an Acre coin minted by the Emperor Elagabalus at the beginning of the third century C.E. Beneath, a spiral line showing the sea waves, mooring arches showing above. which served to shelter ships in the harbor. Above, on top of the central hill within the city, another shrine. Around the rim an inscription "Coin of Acre 3977-82" in Hebrew and in English, the date being 217-222 C.E.

Edge: The State emblem and the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver coins bear "Sterling" in English and "Silver 935" in Hebrew.

Serialization: All the medals are numbered. Designer

Designer: Obverse - Mordechai Gumpel. Reverse - Alex Berlyne.

Engraving: Kretschmer

Mint: Kretschmer